Davis Award Winner

Grace Ihara
Honolulu

A former associate professor in speech at Honolulu Community College, Grace Ihara is posthumously recognized for bringing her wealth of knowledge and experience as a speech pathologist into the classroom. She helped many students "find their voices" and use them responsibly. She collaborated with colleagues to find ways to help students discover and use the power of speech.

Ihara was also working on a curriculum that would enhance cross–cultural communication for non–native speakers of English. A colleague writes, "Combining discipline and affection, high humor and keen wisdom, Grace exemplified and embodied—always with a unique sense of personal style—the best practices of her discipline."

The Frances Davis Award for Undergraduate Teaching recognizes dedication and demonstrated excellence as teachers of undergraduate students. It was established as a memorial to the late Frances Davis, who taught mathematics at Leeward Community College and UH Manoa for 19 years.